By W. David Marx
I read this one after having breakfast with Brad and learning that it was next on his reading list. As someone who has been mostly checked-out from popular culture for my entire adult life, it was a little weird to read history of times I lived but have the information still be so new. The book argues that commercialization and homogenization have made our current culture bland and lacking in authentic, exciting art. Maybe. The popular creators described in this book seem to fit Marx’s description. I don’t know if he’s really looking hard enough. I don’t disagree with his premise that pop culture isn’t very interesting or innovative because it’s targeting broad appeal, but I also don’t really care. There’s plenty of space to find things more interesting to me, so that’s what I’ve paid attention to and what I will continue to pay attention to. I’m not worried about what is popular. The book is as much of a Blank Space as the culture he derides. Skip it.